Bulletproof vests for officer canines are about $2,200 each, so many departments in the nation do not have them.

Retired Navy SEAL Jimmy Hatch is a former military dog handler who runs a charity dedicated to helping military and police dogs. When Hatch read about Krijger’s death, he immediately launched a fundraising campaign to raise money to buy bulletproof and stab-resistant vests for the other Norfolk K-9s.

Hatch reached the right audience.

Last year, CNN anchor Anderson Cooper interviewed Hatch about a night in 2009 in which he was injured on a mission to rescue Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl in Afghanistan.

Cooper saw a post on social media about Hatch’s fundraising effort. He decided to donate the entire fee from his January 26 “Norfolk Forum” speaking engagement at Chrysler Hall in Norfolk.

Although the specific amount of the donation has not been released, it is enough to buy vests for all of the rest of the department K-9s.

There has been an outpouring of praise for Cooper and Hatch since the announcement was made. Many of the comments come from other police departments. The officers know how much they depend on their canine colleagues.

Hatch said Cooper “wasn’t keen on me publicizing his donation, but I told him I was going to do it anyway. He’s such a good dude. And genuine.”